I know many have said you can't properly assess a draft pick until a few years on, but just for fun, I'd be curious to hear all of your gut feeling/snap-assessment grades for this years' picks. Just your first initial assessment at the time of the pick.
You're welcome to include any/all picks, just GB picks, whatever you like! I'm not trying to do all 32, I'd be here all day. Maybe will chime in tomorrow or in the coming days once a few more come in.
1. Cam Ward QB Miami to Titans: B
I feel like this was more or less the "default" pick and I can't grade you too harshly when you desperately need a QB and have the option to take the best QB in the draft. But I think this was a really, really weak QB class. For me Ward would probably be like QB5 in last year's draft and ironically I think his absolute maximum ceiling is a Jordan Love type of player...except he's landing in a much worst spot for his development and one that is sorely lacking for skill position talent. He should be an improvement for them but I don't see huge potential there.
2. Travis Hunter CB/WR to Jaguars: C-
I go back and forth on this. On one hand you could argue Hunter is like getting a first round CB and a first round WR in the same package, but you had to give up a first (and more) to get him, so I basically view it like giving up a first, second, and fourth this year and a first next year in exchange for two firsts this year. But I'm not convinced Hunter will be full-time at two positions still, so I think that diminishes the value in that sort of trade somewhat. I guess if Hunter plays like a Pro Bowl type of guy on both sides, full time, then sure - it's worth it. But that's a big IF and one I'd have a hard time banking on. And I think any time you're giving up a first to move to draft a non QB is a risky proposition. It's definitely a fun, splashy pick (and TBH I DO think that counts for something at least) but overall I think Cleveland won this exchange.
3. Abdul Carter EDGE to Giants: A+
Best player in the draft for me. They do need a QB, but it'd be a huge reach to take either Dart or Sanders here. Their defensive front should be excellent with Carter, Burns, Lawrence, Thibodeaux, etc.
5. Mason Graham DL/DT to Browns: A/A+
Big fan of this one. Like Carter with the Giants, I think Graham is one of the best players in the draft. And like the Giants, they too need QB but again it's just a big reach here. I give it an "A" for the pick alone, but an "A+" considering they were able to acquire an additional second, fourth, and 2026 1st to get him.
8. Tetairoa McMillan WR to Panthers: C+
Divisive pick. I really like TMac, but think they had much, much bigger needs on defense. I've said before there are likely to be some great WRs available later on. I'd probably field a trade down if anyone was interested, or take someone like Jalon Walker or your BPA on defense and address WR later.
10. Colston Loveland TE to Bears: B-
It's not bad. A good system fit, and depending on your assessment he's either TE1 or TE2. Personally I think top 10 is a bit rich for TE most years...I question the necessity with Kmet already in place. Yes, Johnson likes 12 personnel but IMO Loveland isn't a great blocker and I think Warren is overall a higher ceiling player.
12. Tyler Booker iOL to Cowboys: C-
I think this was reaching a little bit. Booker is a high floor prospect but IMO a low ceiling one. He pretty much projects to guard only and that feels like a steep price. A guy like Matthew Golden would've been perfect for them IMO. Texas connection, and would pair fantastic with CeeDee Lamb. I actually would've really liked to see Omarion Hampton here too.
15. Jalon Walker EDGE to Falcons: B
I have mixed feelings on this one. On one hand I'm shocked Walker was available this far down. He seems like the type of guy that a lot of teams fall in love with come draft time. At the same time, I think they could've waited and still done well with later defenders. Walker fits in that dangerous "tweener" zone for me.
17. Shemar Stewart EDGE to Bengals: C
I'm not in love with this pick. Stewart is an interesting prospect. If you believed the latest buzz, it sounded like he could fall a bit farther than this spot. But in any case...Cincy DEFINITELY needs help on defense. But I don't think it's a great situational pick for them. In my opinion, they have a much bigger need for players who can contribute NOW, not projects or "upside" players. This will be especially true if Hendrickson is gone...I don't know how much they can afford to wait for development here.
19. Emeka Egbuka WR to Buccaneers: B
Not a bad pick. For many, Egbuka's pro comp is Chris Godwin, so that's kinda funny. Pretty natural assumption to groom his replacement here. At the same time I could see an argument for this being a bit of a luxury pick; they arguably had bigger needs right now.
20. Jahdae Barron CB to Broncos: A
I really like Barron. He will be a great complement to their defense, and playing in that division with Mahomes, Herbert, and Geno you're going to need some sharp CBs. Following the injury concerns to Will Johnson, Barron was IMO the #1 CB in behind Hunter. Great pick both for the player and the value.
22. Omarion Hampton RB to Chargers: A
I know a lot of folks don't like a first round RB but I love this pick. All the talk was about Jeanty (and rightfully so) but for me it was like Jeanty was RB1A and Hampton was RB1B. I think he's going to pan out very well at the NFL level. Floor for me is a David Montgomery type player. I see flashes of a young Adrian Peterson in his game (I don't see him panning out QUITE like that, but just saying there's glimpses there)
23. Matthew Golden WR to Packers: A
This one is a "no need to overthink it" type of pick. Golden arguably hits both BPA and need at this spot. I was of the opinion that we needed help at WR even IF Watson was healthy, so it was an easy choice for me. Our offense absolutely crumbles without having that kind of field-stretching capability. I didn't think he'd make it to us. Really excited to see him.
25. Jaxson Dart QB to Giants: C
On one hand I think it was the right move to not take a QB at 3, which for either one of Sanders or Dart would've been an egregious reach. But I still think this is a bit of a reach here. Unless you are really concerned that Cleveland (who heavily scouted/worked out Shedeur) would take him...the Giants were already picking 34, too. I question whether or not anyone else would've taken him (or moved ahead to do so). Setting all that aside...I am not very high on Dart to begin with. IMO he has zero elite physical tools and hasn't shown himself to be able to do much beyond easy first reads. To my eye he looks like Will Levis without the arm, a Gardner Minshew type ceiling.
26. James Pearce Jr. EDGE to Falcons: D
He's an interesting player but I think they gave up too much to get here. The Walker+Pearce pairing could be fun, but Pearce has a lot of question marks to me. He will probably be a rotational player for a year or two. And with the way the Falcons might look to be, the 2026 pick they gave up will probably be pretty valuable. Ironically, I think Pearce would've made a lot more sense to LA, who traded this pick away.
28. Tyleik Williams DL/DT to Lions: C+
This is a pretty "average" pick for me. I was more concerned about them adding a top pass rusher. He is a good player, and fills a need, but as a divisional rival it's not one I'm particularly bothered/worried about. I think they could've got similar value/production/potential later.
31. Jihaad Campbell LB to Eagles: A
This is a "How does Howie keep getting away with this?!?" type of pick. He's a great fit for them and can step in for the injured Nakobe Dean right away. Overall, I think Campbell was probably a top-20 player at worst, so this is a great pickup. You just already know he'll be a star for them.
32. Josh Simmons OT to Chiefs: A
If not for medical concerns, Simmons could be in the conversation for best OT in the draft. Chiefs can afford to take that risk and take their time with him. Huge upside potential. Obviously there's risk (that's why he was even available here to begin with), but if he recovers well, they're set for a long time.
Anyways, that's what I've got so far! Curious your thoughts and how folks will grade out in the next couple rounds.
You're welcome to include any/all picks, just GB picks, whatever you like! I'm not trying to do all 32, I'd be here all day. Maybe will chime in tomorrow or in the coming days once a few more come in.
1. Cam Ward QB Miami to Titans: B
I feel like this was more or less the "default" pick and I can't grade you too harshly when you desperately need a QB and have the option to take the best QB in the draft. But I think this was a really, really weak QB class. For me Ward would probably be like QB5 in last year's draft and ironically I think his absolute maximum ceiling is a Jordan Love type of player...except he's landing in a much worst spot for his development and one that is sorely lacking for skill position talent. He should be an improvement for them but I don't see huge potential there.
2. Travis Hunter CB/WR to Jaguars: C-
I go back and forth on this. On one hand you could argue Hunter is like getting a first round CB and a first round WR in the same package, but you had to give up a first (and more) to get him, so I basically view it like giving up a first, second, and fourth this year and a first next year in exchange for two firsts this year. But I'm not convinced Hunter will be full-time at two positions still, so I think that diminishes the value in that sort of trade somewhat. I guess if Hunter plays like a Pro Bowl type of guy on both sides, full time, then sure - it's worth it. But that's a big IF and one I'd have a hard time banking on. And I think any time you're giving up a first to move to draft a non QB is a risky proposition. It's definitely a fun, splashy pick (and TBH I DO think that counts for something at least) but overall I think Cleveland won this exchange.
3. Abdul Carter EDGE to Giants: A+
Best player in the draft for me. They do need a QB, but it'd be a huge reach to take either Dart or Sanders here. Their defensive front should be excellent with Carter, Burns, Lawrence, Thibodeaux, etc.
5. Mason Graham DL/DT to Browns: A/A+
Big fan of this one. Like Carter with the Giants, I think Graham is one of the best players in the draft. And like the Giants, they too need QB but again it's just a big reach here. I give it an "A" for the pick alone, but an "A+" considering they were able to acquire an additional second, fourth, and 2026 1st to get him.
8. Tetairoa McMillan WR to Panthers: C+
Divisive pick. I really like TMac, but think they had much, much bigger needs on defense. I've said before there are likely to be some great WRs available later on. I'd probably field a trade down if anyone was interested, or take someone like Jalon Walker or your BPA on defense and address WR later.
10. Colston Loveland TE to Bears: B-
It's not bad. A good system fit, and depending on your assessment he's either TE1 or TE2. Personally I think top 10 is a bit rich for TE most years...I question the necessity with Kmet already in place. Yes, Johnson likes 12 personnel but IMO Loveland isn't a great blocker and I think Warren is overall a higher ceiling player.
12. Tyler Booker iOL to Cowboys: C-
I think this was reaching a little bit. Booker is a high floor prospect but IMO a low ceiling one. He pretty much projects to guard only and that feels like a steep price. A guy like Matthew Golden would've been perfect for them IMO. Texas connection, and would pair fantastic with CeeDee Lamb. I actually would've really liked to see Omarion Hampton here too.
15. Jalon Walker EDGE to Falcons: B
I have mixed feelings on this one. On one hand I'm shocked Walker was available this far down. He seems like the type of guy that a lot of teams fall in love with come draft time. At the same time, I think they could've waited and still done well with later defenders. Walker fits in that dangerous "tweener" zone for me.
17. Shemar Stewart EDGE to Bengals: C
I'm not in love with this pick. Stewart is an interesting prospect. If you believed the latest buzz, it sounded like he could fall a bit farther than this spot. But in any case...Cincy DEFINITELY needs help on defense. But I don't think it's a great situational pick for them. In my opinion, they have a much bigger need for players who can contribute NOW, not projects or "upside" players. This will be especially true if Hendrickson is gone...I don't know how much they can afford to wait for development here.
19. Emeka Egbuka WR to Buccaneers: B
Not a bad pick. For many, Egbuka's pro comp is Chris Godwin, so that's kinda funny. Pretty natural assumption to groom his replacement here. At the same time I could see an argument for this being a bit of a luxury pick; they arguably had bigger needs right now.
20. Jahdae Barron CB to Broncos: A
I really like Barron. He will be a great complement to their defense, and playing in that division with Mahomes, Herbert, and Geno you're going to need some sharp CBs. Following the injury concerns to Will Johnson, Barron was IMO the #1 CB in behind Hunter. Great pick both for the player and the value.
22. Omarion Hampton RB to Chargers: A
I know a lot of folks don't like a first round RB but I love this pick. All the talk was about Jeanty (and rightfully so) but for me it was like Jeanty was RB1A and Hampton was RB1B. I think he's going to pan out very well at the NFL level. Floor for me is a David Montgomery type player. I see flashes of a young Adrian Peterson in his game (I don't see him panning out QUITE like that, but just saying there's glimpses there)
23. Matthew Golden WR to Packers: A
This one is a "no need to overthink it" type of pick. Golden arguably hits both BPA and need at this spot. I was of the opinion that we needed help at WR even IF Watson was healthy, so it was an easy choice for me. Our offense absolutely crumbles without having that kind of field-stretching capability. I didn't think he'd make it to us. Really excited to see him.
25. Jaxson Dart QB to Giants: C
On one hand I think it was the right move to not take a QB at 3, which for either one of Sanders or Dart would've been an egregious reach. But I still think this is a bit of a reach here. Unless you are really concerned that Cleveland (who heavily scouted/worked out Shedeur) would take him...the Giants were already picking 34, too. I question whether or not anyone else would've taken him (or moved ahead to do so). Setting all that aside...I am not very high on Dart to begin with. IMO he has zero elite physical tools and hasn't shown himself to be able to do much beyond easy first reads. To my eye he looks like Will Levis without the arm, a Gardner Minshew type ceiling.
26. James Pearce Jr. EDGE to Falcons: D
He's an interesting player but I think they gave up too much to get here. The Walker+Pearce pairing could be fun, but Pearce has a lot of question marks to me. He will probably be a rotational player for a year or two. And with the way the Falcons might look to be, the 2026 pick they gave up will probably be pretty valuable. Ironically, I think Pearce would've made a lot more sense to LA, who traded this pick away.
28. Tyleik Williams DL/DT to Lions: C+
This is a pretty "average" pick for me. I was more concerned about them adding a top pass rusher. He is a good player, and fills a need, but as a divisional rival it's not one I'm particularly bothered/worried about. I think they could've got similar value/production/potential later.
31. Jihaad Campbell LB to Eagles: A
This is a "How does Howie keep getting away with this?!?" type of pick. He's a great fit for them and can step in for the injured Nakobe Dean right away. Overall, I think Campbell was probably a top-20 player at worst, so this is a great pickup. You just already know he'll be a star for them.
32. Josh Simmons OT to Chiefs: A
If not for medical concerns, Simmons could be in the conversation for best OT in the draft. Chiefs can afford to take that risk and take their time with him. Huge upside potential. Obviously there's risk (that's why he was even available here to begin with), but if he recovers well, they're set for a long time.
Anyways, that's what I've got so far! Curious your thoughts and how folks will grade out in the next couple rounds.
